Saturday, 31 December 2011

New Year at Buttermere YHA

Another New Year weekend over.We should have had 36 arriving but numbers dropped a little this year
to coughs, man flu or what ever. Hopefully they will arrange to get there next
year.
So we were all welcomed into Buttermere Hostel where the
staff looked after us with their meals and helpfulness. (pity they got to
follow their HQ for the menu choice.)
But the food was good and also in the two pubs where some
had lunch or evening meals.
There was plenty of different walks in lovely weather and a
good drying wind once the rain stopped.Paul Blackburn led the easy walk up to Red Pike on one of the days. They
all looked to had a good time if a little wet.
I think Helen and Peter led a walk around Buttermere lake
for one day and Chris Hughes led one around Crummock water as well.
As for my self I was thinking of walks outside of the main
hit list that you would do when you in Buttermere. So no Robinson or Haystacks
or Red Pikes. So I looked at the Wainwright list andcame up with Mellbreak (509m) to Loweswater to the pub and back
along Crummock water. Then it should have been Low bank but bad light put a stop
to that one.

Then the next day we
did do Low Bank (355m). Nice easy hill if anyone wants a short walk. With good
views down each lake. Thenour next
hill was Whiteless Pike (660m) Where some of the men turned back due to the
weather. But 35mph winds and lashing rain did not put us off to bag the hill
and a quick walk back down to shelter for lunch.The idea was to do Craig hill and the Grassmoor but I knew
Grassmoor would have be out.Craig hill
we left for another day due to the winds along the ridge.
Then the next walk was at the back of the hostel as again
Red Pike was still in the mist. So up the Newlands road to do Knott Rigg(556)
and Alkin knott. What a fine ridge walk this was. We did record a 50mph wind
gusts in places but the views we gotdown the valley were wounderful. Then we dropped down at the far end to
turn lefty back down the valley to Buttermere. I would have to put that down as
being the best walk I did on the weekend. Nice easy walk with points to turn
back if you had enough before the end of the ridge, but cracking views of all
other hills.

The final day was a mix of walks or going to Keswick and
bagging tea shops and outdoor shops.
Each of the pubs that we went in on the walks had a good
range of local beers and at Loweswater they had a nice fire.New years eve night after the meal we all went into
party mode. Some started of dancing early while others wander down the pub just
to move the meal along. As we were all stuffed. Then back up to hostel before
midnight for some while some stay in the Fish to let the New year in. The party in the Hostel went onto the early
hours before we were told to stop.

Wednesday, 21 December 2011

Sunday, 11 December 2011

Three emboldened Swogites set off from the car park and fought their way
through snow, ice and howling freezing wind up the west flank of the
infamous Mam Tor, with sheer guts and determination they made it to the
summit cold but undaunted in four minutes. After a very very brief photo
shoot they surveyed their path heading east as it disappeared towards
the "massif" of Lose hill in the murky distance. On they trudged into a
squall of sleet and mist, no one else seemed stupid enough to be on
the ridge. Hollins Cross was reached without a word passing our lips,
and no wonder, they were frozen! The towering peak of Lose Hill loomed
before them and attacked at almost running speed to try to put some
warmth back into the icy bodies, up and over they went without stopping
and set off on down the notoriously difficult and treacherous south col,
the flesh pots of Hope calling in the distance. It was shortly after
this point that the rain started.

This rain was like nothing experienced for years,
torrential, monsoon, rain, which managed to penetrate every possible
nook and cranny on the body.

It laughed at Goretex as it
forced its way in, then it got worst, the rain stopped and the intrepid
trio were bombarded by a storm of needle like hailstone, there was no
escape, exposed on the mountain side and all they could do was endure
this terrible torture. Relief came as they finally made the lower
slopes, they eyed each other silently, what was going on in their minds,
grateful that the mountain Gods had let them live. Who's daft idea was
this, one asked, I hurriedly moved off!!

It wasn't over yet though, what else could the
weather throw at them, mud, glutinous claggy six inches deep mud
everywhere, there was no escape. Our over trousers were covered from top
to bottom. On reaching Hope, a virtual complete change of clothing had
to be made, thankfully everyone had had the sense to bring spares,
experience always shows and after a quick coffee and bite to eat we all
set off for Castleton along more deep muddy tracks. The village was
deserted, I wonder why. We had an uneventful last couple of klms and
were relieved to be back at the car park. On reflection we should have
stayed in bed but what the hell, we are roughy toughy swoggies.

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About Me

Welcome to Stockport Walking and Outdoor Group
(affectionately known as SWOG)
Stockport Walking & Outdoor Group is a multi-activity group with individual members aged 18 to 80+ as well as a number of families.
We are group affiliated to the Peak and Northern Footpath Society. We have corporate Go Outdoors shopping card. For further details contact the membership secretary.
An annual subscription of £5 per person is collected in January each year. For families we include under 18's in the parents membership free of charge.
Please note that under 18's must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
New faces are always welcome ... just come along to any of our events